Oregon Public Broadcasting

In the early part of the twentieth century, the Klamath tribes, consisting of the Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin Indians, were one of the few success stories of the reservation era.

The tribes enjoyed thriving ranching and logging industries.  By the 1950s, they were among the nation’s wealthiest.  But that success would come at a price.

Congress, having deemed the Klamaths economically self sufficient, passed a law in 1953 ending federal recognition of the tribes and taking back the reservation.  

It was viewed by many as the final step in the full assimilation of Indians into mainstream American culture.    KLCC’S Andrew Bartholomew picks up the story.